A brief introduction to our Proficiency Tests
Background and test design
Proficiencytesting@forensicfoundations
Forensic Foundations’ Proficiency Tests are designed to address the following issues:
- Relevance to forensic science laboratories;
- Limitation of any potential context information;
- Knowledge of the ‘ground truth’ of the samples; and
- Cost affordability for the laboratories.
ISO17025:2017 identifies risk management as an integral component of any scientific testing. Forensic Foundations has adopted this approach and have designed their Proficiency Tests to address risks, where possible, at all stages of the forensic process. The table in Appendix A outlines some of the risks associated with each stage of the forensic process.
Forensic Foundations has also adopted the framework embodied in the AS 5388 ‘Forensic Analysis’ and the ISO 21043 ‘Forensic Sciences’ series of Standards. These Standards describe the forensic examination process from collection to reporting. Thus, all Forensic Foundations’ Proficiency Tests commence with item collection and/or receipt and all the subsequent examination / analysis steps, culminating in the reporting, thus reflecting actual forensic casework.
Forensic Foundations is accredited to ISO17043 ‘Conformity Assessment – General requirements for proficiency testing’ and currently forensic biology, chemical criminalistics and forensic document examination are covered by the scope of accreditation.
Forensic Foundations’ Proficiency Tests comply with the requirements of:
- ISO17025:2017 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories,
- NATA General Accreditation Criteria Proficiency Testing Policy (2018)
- NATA Specific Accreditation Criteria: ISO/IEC 17025 Application Document, Legal (including Forensic Science) – Appendix (2018)
- ANAB ISO/IEC 17025:2017 – Forensic Science Testing and Calibration Laboratories Accreditation Requirements (2019)
- ANAB Accreditation Manual for Forensic Service Providers (2019)
- Guidance on the Conduct of Proficiency Tests and Collaborative Exercises Within ENSFI (2014)
In addition to offering a program of proficiency tests, Forensic Foundation also offers a number of inter-laboratory collaborative trial. These trials are offered where the test is still in the development phase and/or the tests is niche and/or the field of study is not currently covered by our scope of accreditation.
The Final Reports Forensic Foundations Proficiency Tests will be publicly available via the Forensic Foundations web site however individual laboratory results will remain confidential. Participating laboratories may use the report as outlined in their respective laboratory policies.
2020-1 Forensic Biology – Biological examination and DNA -1
Forensic Biology – Biological examination and DNA -1
A summary of the Scenario:
A female complainant has been sexual assaulted.
Participants will be provided with the complainant’s, medical samples and reference sample.
Reference samples will also be provided from the suspects
Last order dates: February 2020
For more info or to purchase click here
2020-2 Forensic Biology – Biology/ Crime Scene Examination -BPA
Biology/ Crime Scene Examination -BPA
A summary of the Scenario:
An elderly man attended the emergency department with lacerations to his head, face and arms. He has no recollection of how the injuries were sustained.
A property is located which may be the scene of the assault. Is the blood staining at this property consistent with the injuries sustained?
Participants will be provided with a detail description of the injuries and photographs of the scene.
Last order dates: March 2020
For more info or to purchase click here
2020-3 Fingerprint detection, enhancement and identification
Fingerprint detection, enhancement and identification
A summary of the Scenario:
Items collected from crime have been submitted for fingerprinting. The participant laboratory will be asked to examine the items for any latent fingerprint present. Enhancement techniques may be required. Any prints collected will need to be compared to comparison prints supplied.
Participants will be provided with a number of paper-based items
Last order dates: April 2020
For more info or to purchase click here
2020-4 Chemical Criminalistics – Fibres
Chemical Criminalistics – Fibres
A summary of the Scenario:
A break in and robbery occurred at a private home. Access was gained by breaking a window
Clothing from a number of suspects has been seized.
Participants will be provided with samples of fabric collected from the broken glass and samples of the suspects’ clothing.
Last order dates: May 2020
For more info or to purchase click here
2020-5 Document Examination
2020 Document Examination 2020-5
A summary of the Scenario:
A document has been located and seized by Police investigating a corruption allegation. The person whose signature is on the document denies signing it. The disputed and specimen signatures will be provided to participant laboratories, with a request to provide investigators with any information regarding the signature, and whether it is genuine.
Participants will be provided with a number of high-quality images of the documents and signatures to examine.
Last order dates: August 2020
For more info or to purchase click here
2021 Document Examination 2021-5
A summary of the Scenario:
A family is disputing the will of a deceased elderly relative. The will indicates that a carer is the major beneficiary. The family does not believe this is consistent with the wishes of their relative.
Participants will be provided with a number of high-quality images of the will and signatures to examine.
Last order dates: June 2021
For more info or to purchase click here
For more info on our 2020 or 2021 programs please click below
2020-6 Chemical Criminalistics - Glass
Chemical Criminalistics – Glass
A summary of the Scenario:
A break in and robbery occurred at a private home. Access was gained by breaking a window
Clothing from a number of suspects has been seized.
Participants will be provided with samples of the glass from the scene and the debris collected from the suspects’ clothing.
Last order dates: July 2020
For more info or to purchase click here
2020-7 Forensic Biology – Biological examination, BPA and DNA
Forensic Biology – Biological examination, BPA and DNA
A summary of the Scenario:
Following the assault described in 2020-2, a number of suspects have been located.
Participants will be provided with the clothing of the victim and of the 3 suspects.
Last order dates: August 2020
For more info or to purchase click here
2020-8 Chemical Criminalistics – Architectural Paint
Chemical Criminalistics – Architectural Paint
A summary of the Scenario:
Entry to an unoccupied beach house was gained by jamming the backdoor. Both the door frame and the paint were damaged. Tools were collected from a number of persons known to police.
Participants will be provided with samples of paint from the door frame and the tools collected for examination and possible comparison of any paint found to the reference sample.
Last order dates: September 2020
For more info or to purchase click here
2020-9 Chemical Criminalistics – Ignitable fluid residue
Chemical Criminalistics – Ignitable fluid residue
A summary of the Scenario:
A fire occurred in a residential dwelling.
A sample of the carpet was collected, as the burn patterns indicted that it may have been deliberately lit.
Participants will be provided with the sample of carpet.
Last order dates: October 2020
For more info or to purchase click here
2020-10 Forensic Biology – Biological examination and DNA -2
Forensic Biology – Biological examination and DNA -2
A summary of the Scenario:
The complainant had been allegedly assaulted by an unknown number of assailants.
Participants will be provided with the clothing of the complainant and the suspects.
Last order dates: December 2020
For more info or to purchase click here
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Photos: County Court of Victoria. Used with permission.
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